The 2024 Cordwainers Footwear Awards took place last week (on 13 June) at Saddlers Hall, London, with 16 student finalists from the London College of Fashion, University of the Arts London and De Montfort University competing to win the coveted Cordwainers Footwear Award Trophy.

This year was the tenth anniversary of the Awards, recognised by industry leaders as the most prestigious celebration of emerging student talent. International footwear designer Sophia Webster’s outstanding contribution to footwear was recognised by the award of the Sue Saunders Award for Excellence.

First place winner, George Nikiforakis

The 2024 student winners:

  • First Prize (winning £3,000): George Nikiforakis (London College of Fashion)
  • Runner Up (£2,000): Ethan Robinson (London College of Fashion)
  • Sustainable Development Award (£1,500): Lu Zhou (London College of Fashion)
  • Sneaker/Athleisure Award (£1,500): Joe Muir (De Montfort University)
  • Commendation (£500): Sophie Perrett (De Montfort University)
  • Commendation (£500): Therese Frank (London College of Fashion

The remaining 10 finalists each receive a prize of £100.

The winner, George Nikiforakis, said: “Winning first prize for such a prestigious award is honestly everything to me. It has given me the confidence to really forge forward in an industry that I truly love.”

Established in 2014, the Cordwainers Footwear Awards not only offer footwear design students significant cash prizes and the chance to earn industry recognition for their work, but finalists are also given the opportunity to gain mentoring experience from some of the best names in the British footwear industry.

In the past decade the Worshipful Company of Cordwainers has given away more than £100,000-worth of prizes and helped 150 students take the next steps in their footwear careers. They have gone on to work for some of the great names in fashion and footwear, Dr Martens, Alexander McQueen, Nike, Adidas, the Pentland Group, Trickers, to name a few.

Master of The Worshipful Company of Cordwainers, Judith Millidge, with Sophia Webster

This year the Sue Saunders Award for Excellence is a prize awarded by nomination to an individual who has made an outstanding contribution to the footwear trade. Sue Saunders was an inspiring teacher and mentor, a shining light of the footwear world and this special award honours her memory.

Sophia Webster is one of the best-known shoe designers in the world, whose signature butterfly shoes have been worn by celebrities across the globe, from Michele Obama to Kim Kardashian, and even Barbie.

She said: “Sue Saunders, who was my tutor at LCF, left behind big shoes to fill and I am incredibly honoured to win this award. The importance of the prizes provided by the Worshipful Company of Cordwainers cannot be underestimated because they not only recognise talent, but also the commitment and hard graft that it takes to be outstanding.”